M 


• 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


Winnie  catching  the  Snow-flakes- 

Vc.l.  VI.,  p.  io:» 


THE 


THE  WOODLA  WN  SERIES. 


Bertie  and  the  Gardeners : 


OB, 


THE  WAY  TO  BE  HAPPY. 


BT 

MRS  MADELINE  LESLIE. 

AUTHOR  or  "AUNT  HATTIE'S  LIBRARY  FOR  BOYS  AHD 
GIRLS,"  ETC. 


CHICAGO: 

HENRY   A.   SUMNER  &   COMPANY 
1880. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  yew  1808,   ><f 

A  .     K .     BAKER, 
U  the  ClTk'ti  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  MaBMchiuetU. 


TO 

HARRY,  NELLIE,  AND  WILLIE  SAMPSON; 

ALSO, 
To  the  Memory  of  their  Deceased  Brothers  and  Slater, 

BERTIE,  FRANKEY  AND  EMMA, 

THESE     LITTLE     BOOKS     ARE     AFFECTIONATELY 
INSCRIBED. 

If  the   perusal  prompt  them  and  other  readers  to  imitate 

the  virtues  of  our  hero  in  his  efforts  to  be  good,  and 

to   do  good,  the   wishes  of  the  author 

will  be  realized. 

t. 


622692 


BERTIE;    OR,    THE    WOODLAWN    SERIES. 

BT  MBS.  MADELINE  T.iMiT.rK- 


I.  BERTIE'S  HOME. 

II.  BERTIE  AND  THE  CARPENTER*. 

III.  BERTIE  AND  TUK  MASONS. 

IV.  BERTIE  AND  THE  PLUMBERS. 
Y.  BERTIE  AND  THE  PAINTERS. 
71.  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  L 
THE  NEW  FARMER,      .... 

CHAPTER  II. 
THE  SICK  WORKMAN,  .        .        .21 

CHAPTER  in. 
THE  MERBY  GARDENER,       ...        80 

CHAPTEB  IV. 
VISITORS  TO  WOODLAWN,     .        .  40 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   V. 
THE  SORROWING  FATHER,     ...        51 

CHAPTER   VI. 
CLEARING  THE  CREEK,          ...        64 

CHAPTER  VII. 
PAT'S  VISIT  HOME,     ....         74 

CHAPTER   VIII. 
LETTER  FROM  PAT,       ....         84 

CHAPTER  IX. 
BERTIE'S  SPELLING  MATCH,         .         .         97 

CHAPTER  X. 
BMTIB'S  PRESENTS,  ....        107 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
THE  HEART  AND  HAND,    .        .        .         118 

CHAPTEB  XII. 

VIOLETS  AND  VIOLETTA,     .        .        .        127 

CHAPTEB  XIII. 
BERTIE'S  REWARD,     ....        138 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

BERTIE  AND  THE  NEWSBOY,        .         .         148 

CHAPTER    XV. 
THE  LAST  CHAPTER,  ....        155 


i\(t 


CHAPTER    I. 


THE    NEW    FARMER. 


was  nearly  completed ;  and  Mr. 
Curtis  now  set  to  work  in  ear- 
nest, clearing  the  grounds  of 
the  rubbish,  in  order  to  make  the  ter- 
races and  lay  out  his  avenue  in  front. 
Those  who  have  read  the   other 


12       BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS 

books  about  Bertie,  will  know  that 
two  wide  avenues,  enclosed  by  hand- 
some iron  gates,  had  been  already 
made ;  one  winding  along  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Shawsheen,  the  other 
entering  from  a  higher  point  which 
led  through  a  grove  toward  the  house 
where  the  enchanting  view  of  lawn 
and  water  burst  at  once  on  the  vision. 
But  in  the  vicinity  of  the  house,  no 
grading  had  been  done,  on  account  of 
the  vast  amount  of  bricks,  lime,  mor- 
tar-bins, wood  and  chips  lying  scat- 
tered in  every  direction. 


THE    NEW    FARMER.  13 

The  house,  elegant  in  proportion 
and  finish,  stood  about  a  hundred 
rods  in  front  of  a  high,  grassy  mound, 
upon  the  top  of  which  a  cluster  of 
chestnut-trees  cast  a  pleasant  shade. 

The  rich,  green  turf  on  the  lawn 
which  sloped  to  the  lake,  was  dotted 
with  magnificent  old  trees  undis- 
turbed for  a  century.  Back  of  the 
house,  or  rather  beyond  the  barn, 
was  another  swell  or  mound,  which 
like  the  first,  was  so  regular  in  its 
form  as  almost  to  excite  the  belief 
that  it  was  artificial.  Indeed,  from 


14   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

the  fact  that  two  tomahawks  were 
found  buried  in  the  spot  where  the 
barn  stood,  Mr.  Curtis  inferred  that 
it  might  have  been  used  for  the 
grand  council  of  the  Indian  tribe, 
and  that  here  they  buried  all  hostili- 
ties. 

"  Certainly,"  Mrs.  Curtis  remarked, 
"  this  was  a  pleasant  view  to  take  of 
it,"  and  as  there  was  no  one  to  dis- 
pute the  fact,  the  larger  mound  was 
called  "  Peace  Mountain." 

Mr.  Curtis,  or  the  Squire,  as  the 
Oxford  villagers  called  him,  was  now 


THE    NEW    FARMER  15 

in  his  element.  Every  pleasant 
morning  he  might  be  seen,  his  wife 
leaning  on  his  arm,  walking  over  the 
premises,  planning  the  improvements 
to  be  made,  and  often  Bertie  and 
Winifred  accompanied  them. 

When  the  weather  was  not  so  clear, 
the  gentleman  and  his  son  hurried 
from  one  part  of  the  grounds  to  the 
other,  directing  Tom  Grant,  or  meas- 
uring with  a  ten-foot  pole. 

There  was  a  nice  sunny  plat  con- 
taining sixteen  acres  back  of  Peace 
Mountain,  which  had  been  ploughed 


16   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

i 

earlier  in  the  season,  to  be  in  readi- 
ness next  year  for  a  garden  and  or- 
chard. Besides  this  there  were  to 
be  heart-shaped  and  diamond-shaped 
figures  and  circlets  cut  in  the  lawn, 
near  the  house,  for  flowers  of  every 
hue 

It  was  now  October,  and  the  most 
must  be  made  of  the  fine  weather. 
Ploughing  and  preparing  the  ground 
for  agricultural  purposes,  was  what 
the  farmers  in  the  neighborhood 
were  accustomed  to,  and  therefore 
help  was  easily  to  be  obtained. 


THE   NEW   FARMER.  17 

Through  the  summer,  Mr.  Curtis 
had  borne  in  mind  that  he  should 
need  a  skilful  farmer  to  till  his  land, 
one  who  understood  the  science  as 
well  as  the  art  of  farming  to  the  best 
advantage.  He  greatly  approved 
Thomas  Grant's  industry,  and  the 
zeal  he  manifested  in  all  that  con- 
cerned his  master's  interests  ;  but  he 
feared  the  man  was  so  attached  to  the 
old  ways  of  managing  land,  that  he 
would  be  unwilling  to  avail  himself 
of  the  improved  implements  of  agri- 
culture, or  the  new-fangled  notions, 


18   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

as  he  called  mowing-machines,  horse- 
rakes,  sowing-machines,  etc.,  etc. 

But  one  noon,  while  his  oxen  were 
eating  their  dinner,  Mr.  Curtis  found 
him  sitting  under  the  shade  of  a  tree, 
examining  with  great  interest  the 
latest  report  of  the  State  Agricultural 
Society. 

Turning  to  a  picture  of  a  Devon 
cow,  he  exclaimed : 

"  Well,  Squire,  if  Adam  carried 
such  cows  as  that  with  him  when  he 
went  outside  of  Eden,  I  think  he 
might  have  set  up  another  paradise 


THE    NEW    FARMEB.  19 

To  my  thinking,  Squire,  nothing  can 
beat  that  cow." 

Mr.  Curtis  threw  himself  on  the 
grass,  wishing  to  test  Tom's  ideas  of 
farming ;  and  after  conversing  half 
an  hour,  resolved  to  hire  him  for  his 
farmer. 

But  still  it  was  necessary  for  the 
gentleman  to  employ  a  gardener,  one 

who  loved  flowers  and  had  a  taste  for 

• 

landscape  gardening. 

"  I  must  advertise,  Cecilia,"  he  said 
one  day  to  his  wife ;  "  I  want  exactly 
the  right  kind  of  a  man.  for  there  is  a 


20   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

great    opportunity   to    improve    and 
beautify  the  place." 

While  his  papa  and  mamma  were 
talking,  Bertie  sat  on  a  cricket  before 
a  wooden  chair  which  he  had  bor- 
rowed of  Mrs.  Taylor  from  the  kitchen. 
Winnie  was  by  his  side,  and  he  was 
teaching  her  to  make  a  penny  spin 
around  so  that  it  looked  like  a  ball. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    SICK    WORKMAN. 

EITHER  Mr.  nor  Mrs.  Curtis 
noticed  that  their  son  listened 
to  the  conversation  ;  but  he 
did,  and  remembered  it. 
The  next  day  he  harnessed  White- 
foot  into  his  donkey  carriage  as  soon 
as  he  had  read  his  chapter,  with  his 
mamma,  and  drove  away  with  all 
speed  to  Woodlawn. 


22       BERTIE    JLND    THE    GARDENERS. 

Mr.  Fuller  and  most  of  the  work- 
men had  left ;  but  Joe  Allen  and  his 
father   were    busy   in   the    conserva- 
tory which  they  were  just  finishing. 
It  was  a  beautiful  building,  the  centre 
much  higher  than  the  rest,  to  be  filled 
with  climbing  roses,  vines,  etc.;    the 
sides  sloped  off  until  they  were  only 
high  enough  to  allow  free  entrance 
at   the  doors.     It  was  finished  in   a 
highly  ornamental  manner,  and  in  the 
distance  resembled  a  heathen  pagoda. 
This  was  Joe's  first  effort  at  archi- 
tecture ;  and  he  was  proud  of  it.  When 


THE    SICK    WORKMAN.  23 

he  left  Oxford  he  was  going  directly 
to  Mr.  Bryant's  with  whom  his  kind 
friend  Mr.  Curtis  had  made  arrange 
ments  for  him  to  study  and  perfect 
himself  in  his  chosen  pursuit. 

Joe  was  not  at  work  when  Bertie 
found  him ;  he  was  giving  directions 
to  the  man  who  had  brought  a  load 
of  marble  blocks  for  the  walks. 

The  little  fellow  found  he  would  be 
busy  for  some  time ;  so  he  sauntered 
on  to  the  back  of  the  building  till  he 
came  to  the  painter  Mr.  Dodge,  who 
was  engaged  in  setting  some  panes 


24      BERTIE    AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

of  glass  which  had  been  broken.  He 
smiled  directly  when  he  saw  Bertie  , 
but  he  did  not  speak,  and  presently 
the  child  noticed  he  was  very  pale. 
Occasionally  he  put  his  handkerchief 
to  his  mouth  ;  and  the  little  fellow 
was  frightened  when  he  saw  that  it 
was  spotted  with  blood. 

"  Oh,  dear  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  you 
are  sick.  You  must  go  home,  and 
send  for  the  Doctor." 

"  I  confess  I  don't  feel  like  moving 
a  mountain  this  morning."  answered 
Dodge,  with  a  sickly  laugh  ;  "  I'm  on 


THE    SICK    WORKMAN.  25 

my   last  job   at   painting.     Did   you 
know  it  ?  " 

"•  What  do  you  mean  ? " 
"  I  wasn't  brought  up  to  be  a  paint- 
er ;  and  it  doesn't  agree  with  me." 
"  What  did  you  do  before  ? " 
"  Oh,  I  turneo^  my  hand   to   any- 
thing !     I  took  up  painting  because 
it  paid  best  at  the  time,  and  I  had  my 
mother  and  sister  to  support." 
"  What  shall  you  do  then  "?  " 
"  I  don't  know."     He  laid  down  hig 
putty  knife  and  leaned  back,  wiping 
his  mouth  agajn. 


26   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

"  I  know  you're  sick,"  Bertie  urged 
anxiously,  "  and  I'm  going  to  call  my 
papa." 

"No,  don't!  I've  had  such  turns 
before  ;  but  they  do  make  me  weak 
as  a  baby." 

But  the  child  was  alarmed,  and  had 
already  gone.  When  he  returned  the 
painter  had  risen  and  was  slowly 
walking  toward  the  house  on  his  way 
to  his  boarding  place. 

"  My  son."  said  Mr.  Curtis,  "  call 
Whitefoot  and  harness  him  into  the 
carriage  as  quick  as  you  can." 


THE    SICK    WORKMAN.  27 

"  Sit  down  on  the  boards,  Dodge, 
until  he  brings  the  donkey  round. 
Bertie  tells  me  you  think  painting 
disagrees  with  you." 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  am  sure  it  does.  1 
half  promised  my  mother  never  to  do 
another  day's  work  at  it ;  but  when 
Torrey  was  hurt  I  couldn't  refuse  Mr. 
Fuller ;  he's  been  a  good  friend  to 
me  in  times  past." 

"  What  would  you  choose  for  an 
employment  ? " 

"  Out  door  work,  sir,  was  what  I 
was  brought  "up  to.  I  shall  try  to  get 


28       BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

something  at  that.  There's  nothing 
more  healthy  for  the  lungs  than  being 
over  horses  and  cattle." 

V 

The  gentleman  noticed  that  the  ef- 
fort of  talking  seemed  to  give  the 
man  pain,  and  instantly  checked  him 
from  saying  more. 

"  You  must  stop  at  once,"  he  urged 
in  a  firm  voice.  "  Such  warnings  as 
that,"  pointing  to  the  blood-stained 
handkerchief,  "  are  not  to  be  trifled 
with.  I  shall  send  a  physician  to  see 
you  ;  and  I  will  talk  with  you  again." 

A.t  noon  Mr.  Curtio  found  that  the 


THE    SICK    WORKMAN.  29 

woman  who  boarded  Mr.  Dodge 
couldn't  keep  him  while  he  was  sick ; 
and  arrangements  were  made  at  once 
to  remove  him  to  the  chamber  in 
Mrs.  Taylor's  farm-house  which  Pat 
rick  Riley  had  left. 

The  next  day  he  was  so  much 
worse  that  his  mother  was  sent  for ; 
and  thus  an  acquaintance  commenced 
which  continued  for  life. 


CHAPTER  HI. 


THE  MERRY  GARDENER. 


RS.  DODGE  was  the  widow  of 
a  clergyman.  At  her  hus- 
band's death  she  was  left  des- 
titute ;  and  until  Albert  was 
able  to  labor  for  her  support,  she 
kept  school,  filling  up  every  moment 
out  of  school  hours,  in  sewing  for  the 
slop-shops. 

In  this  way  she  injured  her  health, 

(10) 


THE    MERRY    GARDENER.  31 

and  her  son  insisted  she  should  hire 
a  couple  of  rooms,  take  his  sister 
from  an  uncle's  where  she  was  not 
happy,  and  keep  house  for  him. 

Her  health  was  now  entirely  re- 
stored, and  she  had  resolved  to  adver- 
tise for  a  situation  as  housekeeper, 
and  thus  relieve  her  son  of  the 
burden  of  her  own  and  her  daugh- 
ter's support. 

The  longer  Mrs.  Curtis  knew  Mrs. 
Dodge,  the  better  she  was  convinced 
that  she  was  exactly  the  person  to  re- 
lieve her  of  her  household  care. 


32      BERTIE    AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

They  sent  to  the  city  for  Nelly  the 
daughter,  and  found  she  was  old 
enough  to  be  of  service  as  a  chamber 
girl.  Nancy  was  to  retain  her  old  place 
as  nurse,  so  that  only  a  cook  was  need 
ed  to  make  the  corps  complete. 

It  was  not  long  before  Albert  was 
able  to  return  to  the  city.  He  was 
delighted  that  his  mother  and  'sister 
were  provided  for,  and  kept  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Taylor  laughing  from  morning 
till  night  ;  and  yet  Mr.  Curtis  sus- 
pected there  was  something  on  his 
7nind  that  troubled  him. 


THE    MERRY    GARDENER.  33 

The  night  before  he  was  to  leave 
he  requested  an  interview  with  the 
Squire,  when  with  some  embarrass- 
ment he  said : 

"Bertie  told  me  to-day  that  you 
were  looking  for  a  gardener.  If  I 
can  fit  myself  for  the  business  by  next 
spring,  will  you  let  me  try  it  1 " 

"  Do  you  know  any  thing  about 
flowers  ?" 

"  I  worked  one  winter  for  a  gentle- 
man who  cultivated  flowers  and  fruit 
for  sale.  He  had  violets  and  carna- 
tion-pinks and  roses,  and  in  other 


34      BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

houses  he  had  strawberries  and  mush- 
rooms, and  lettuce.  I  think  as  far  as 
I  went  I  learned  the  business  thor- 
oughly." 

"  Capital !  and  do  you  understand 
about  laying  out  grounds  1  I  mean 
small  plats  for  flowers." 

"  I  can't  say,  sir,  how  I  should 
please  you  or  the  lady ;  but  I  could 
draw  you  a  plan  of  what  I've  been 
wanting  to  see  in  front  of  the  house. 
Perhaps  you  could  judge  something 
by  that." 

Mr.  Curtis  sat  thinking  for  a  time, 


THE    MERRY    GARDENER.  35 

and  then  Albert  said  with  his  old, 
merry  twinkle : 

"  I'd  like  first  rate  to  work  for  you, 
Squire  ;  and  I  suppose  mother  would 
like  to  have  me  where  she  can  look 
after  me  a  little.  I  needn't  promise, 
I'd  try  to  do  my  best,  for  you  know 
that  already.  I'd  work  for  consider- 
able less  wages  for  the  sake  of  being 
near  Bertie." 

"  But  your  Mission  School !  what 
will  become  of  that  1 " 

Albert's  face  grew  serious.  "  That's 
the  only  thing  I  regret,  in  leaving  the 


36   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

city,"  he  said.  "  There's  so  much  to 
be  done  for  the  poor  children  wander- 
ing about  the  streets,  I  am  sorry  to 
leave  my  school ;  but  the  doctor  says 
my  life  depends  on  quitting  my  pres- 
ent business." 

As  Mr.  Curtis  still  seemed  absorbed 
in  thought,  the  young  man  added 
presently :  "  If  you  give  me  any  en 
couragement  I  shall  go  back  to  Hantz 
where  I  once  worked.  Before  you 
(vould  need  me  in  the  spring  I  could 
learn  something  if  I  tried." 

"  Does  Bertie  know  of  your  wish  1 " 


THE    MERRY    GARDENER.  37 

"No,  sir,  I  was  afraid  you'd  con- 
sent to  try  me  just  to  please  him ;  and 
I  want  you  to  feel  yourself  that  I'm 
worth  trying." 

This  was  said  with  a  laugh. 

"  Well,"  answered  the  gentleman, 
"  I'll  think  of  it,  and  possibly  I  may 
give  you  an  answer  in  the  morning. 
But,  as  you  are  .  going  to  leave 
the  city,  you  mustn't  give  up  trying 
to  do  good.  Workmen  are  needed  in 
the  country  as  well  as  the  city." 

It  was  Mr.  Curtis'  intention  to  move 
into  his  new  house  the  first  week  in 


38       BERTIE    AND    THE    CiARDENEKS. 

November.      Upholsterers    were    al 
ready  engaged  inside  in  fitting  carpets, 

and  making  ready  for  the  furniture  to 
• 

be  removed  from  their  city  home. 

Mrs.  Dodge,  therefore,  was  going 
to  give  up  her  rooms,  sell  her  plain 
furniture,  and  be  ready  to  return  as 
soon  as  possible.  She  knew  nothing 
of  her  son's  application  to  Mr.  Curtis 
and  felt  considerable  anxiety  on  his 
account.  Her  delight,  therefore,  may 
be  imagined  when  after  they  were 
seated  in  the  cars  on  their  return  to 
the  city  he  informed  her  that  the 


THE    MERRY    GARDENER.  39 

Squire  had  engaged  him  for  a  gar- 
dener, and  thus  they  would  all  be 
together  once  more. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

VISITORS   TO  WOODLAWN. 

SUPPOSE  some  of  my  young 

readers  will  be  glad  to  know 

\ 

thatTorrey  reco-,«?red  entirely 
from  his  accident,  and  had 
returned  to  his  painting  in  the 
<?ity.  Perhaps  there  was  no  one  of 
the  workmen,  aside  from  the  Aliens, 
who  parted  with  Bertie  with  so 
much  regret  as  he  did,  for  there  was 


VISITORS   TO   WOODLAWN.  41 

no  one  who  owed  him  so  much  for 
his  kindness. 

When  the  little  fellow  called  to 
bid  him  good-by  and  to  send  a  book 
by  Mrs.  Torrey  to  Edgar,  the  man 
caught  his  hand,  exclaiming : 

"  I'm  getting  to  like  all  children 
for  your  sake.  At  any  rate  nobody 
will  ever  hear  me  say  again  that  chil- 
dren are  a  bother." 

"Tell  Edgar,  please,"  urged  the 
boy,  "  that  I'm  so  glad  to  hear  he  is 
patient ;  and  that  the  doctors  think 
there  is  hope  he  will  be  well.  Papa 

Lt* 


42   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

• 

says  he  can  stay  there  as  long  as  he 
wishes,  without  any  pay.  I  mean  to 
ask  Miss  Lerow  to  go  with  me  and 
see  him  when  I'm  in  the  city  next  time." 

Mrs.  Torrey  promised  to  go  to 
the  girls'  ward  the  first  time  she  vis- 
ited Edgar  and  ask  for  Susy  Hunt 
and  the  tame  linnet.  The  bird  had 
arrived  safely  at  the  Hospital  and 
proved  a  great  amusement  to  the 
patients.  Miss  Lerow  wrote  a  short 
note  in  answer,  which  I  shall  copy. 

"  DEAR  BERTIE  :  —  This  morning 
when  I  carried  <he  cage  into  Mrs 


VISITORS   TO    WOODLAWN.  43 

Ayer's  ward  there  was  great  rejoic- 
ing. Susy  and  Marianne,  that  bright 
eyed  girl  you  spoke  to  near  the  door, 
laughed  aloud  and  clapped  their 
hands,  and  exclaimed: 

'"Bertie  didn't  forget.  He  did 
send  his  bird.  Oh,  Miss  Lerow  will 
you  please  thank  him,  and  say  we 
like  it  ever  so  much ! ' 

"  Mrs.  Ayers  says, '  Tell  that  blessed 
little  boy  I'll  take  the  best  care  of  his 
linnet.  Tell  him  the  cage  is  hung  on 
the  hook  where  all  the  children  can 
Bee  it;  and  the  pretty  creature  is 


44   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

chirping  as  merrily  as  if  it  had  always 
been  here.' 

"  So,  my  dear  little  friend,  you  will 
be  pleased  that  your  self-denying  act 
has  given  pleasure  to  so  many  suffer- 
ing children,  and  that  they  think  of 
you  with  gratitude,  Your  friend, 
CARRIE  LEROW." 

One  pleasant  afternoon  Bertie  and 
his  sister  were  riding  through  the 
street,  when  a  handsome  carriage 
came  slowly  toward  them. 

"  There's  Whitefbot,  and  that  dear 
little  boy  Mr.  Carpenter  told  us  about," 


VISITORS   TO    WOODLAWN.  45 

exclaimed  a  young  girl,  who  was  no 
other  than  Emma  Blagden. 

The  donkey  trotted  on  until  the 
two  carriages  met,  when  a  pleasant 
voice  called  out : 

;'  Stop  a  minute,  please.  Is  your 
name  Herbert  Curtis  ?  " 

"  Yes,  ma'am." 

"  How  do  you  do ,  Whitefoot  ?  " 
exclaimed  the  young  girl,  springing 
to  the  ground  and  throwing  her  arms 
around  the  donkey's  neck. 

"  Oh,  you  stupid  creature  not  to 
know  your  old  mistress ! "  she  went 


46   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

on,  as  the  animal  took  no  notice  oi 
her  caresses. 

"  I'ril  very  glad  to  see  you,"  Bertie 
began,  his  eyes  sparkling  with  pleas- 
ure. "  Will  you  please  go  and  see 
mamma  1 " 

"  Have  you  moved  into  the  ne\* 
house  yet,"  inquired  the  lady  who 
had  asked  them  to  stop. 

"  No,  ma'am.  Mamma  is  over  there 
though ;  and  she  would  be  very  glad 

to  see  you,  and  thank  you  for  sending 

• 
me  the  bird." 

"  Oh,  yes  !  "  cried  Emma.    "  Where 


TISITORS    TO    WOODLAWN.  47 

is  the  linnet  ?  I  dare  say  she'd  know 
me." 

"  I'm  sorry  ;  but  I  lent  my  bird  to 
a  little  girl  in  the  hospital.  It  does 
amuse  the  children  there  so  much 
to  watch  it." 

"  Did  you  tire  of  it,  then  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no,  indeed !  I  like  it  dearly ; 
but  they  have  to  be  in  their  cots,  you 
know ;  and  it  makes  them  feel  better 
to  have  something  to  look  at." 

;'  Shall  we  waive  ceremony  and 
call  at  Woodlawn  ?  "  asked  the  lady 
of  her  husband. 


48   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

"Just  as  you  say,"  answered  the 
gentleman  smiling. 

"  Well,  Bertie,  if  you  think  your 
mamma  is  not  too  much  engaged,  we 
will  call  for  a  few  moments.  You 
may  drive  Whitefoot  on,  and  we  will 
follow." 

"  Oh,  mamma !  Mr.  Carpenter 
didn't  tell  half  the  beauties  of  the 
scenery,''  exclaimed  Emma,  gazing 
from  the  carriage  window  ;  "  and  we 
thought  that  he  exaggerated.  Only 
look  at  the  water  glistening  through 
the  trees  ;  and  then  the  reflection  of 


VISITORS    TO    WOODLAWN.  49 

that  weeping  willow  in  the  lake  is  so 
perfect." 

Bertie  drove  quickly  to  the  front 
door,  and  lifting  Winnie  from  her 
seat,  ran  into  the  house  to  announce 
the  visitors. 

It  was  a  pleasant  call,  though  a 
short  one,  the  only  seats  being  the 
stairs.  Then  Bertie  persuaded  his 
sister  to  stay  with  Nancy,  who  was 
washing  windows;  and  he  took 
mamma  in  his  donkey  carriage  and 
accompanied  their  new  friends  over 
the  nicely  gravelled  road  to  the  lake. 


50   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

There  were  a  pair  of  swans,  now, 
which  had  grown  so  tame  that  they 
would  sail  up  close  to  the  shore  and 
pick  up  the  crumbs  the  children 
threw  to  them. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  SORROWING  FATHER. 

N  another  volume  of  this  series, 
I  have  told  you  about  Mr.  Ca- 
hart  who  brought  the  stone 
steps  from  the  granite  quarry. 
He  had  a  son  who  gave  him  great 
trouble,  and  whom  he  promised  that 
that  he  would  send  to  Oxford  for 
Bertie  to  take  to  his  mamma,  hoping 

she  would  do  him  good. 
(CD 


52      BERTIE    AND   THE    GA.RDENERS. 

Every  day  for  a  long  time  the  little 
fellow  expected  the  boy  would  come 
up  the  avenue  at  Woodlawn.  But 
nothing  had  ever  been  seen  or  heard 
from  him ;  and  now  more  than  a 
month  had  passed. 

One  lovely  afternoon  during  the 
pleasant  season  called  the  Indian  sum- 
mer, Mr.  Curtis  invited  his  wife,  Be'r- 
tie  and  Winnie  to  ride  with  him  to 
the  quarry  where  he  wished  to  pay 
the  balance  of  his  bill,  part  of  which 
Bertie  had  paid  Mr.  Cahart. 

The  lady  gladly  consented  and  told 


THE    SORROWING    FATHER.  53 

Nancy  to  dress  the  children  as  soon 
as  possible. 

The  country  never  had  looked  so 
delightful  to  Mrs.  Curtis  as  now  that 
the  fields  were  dressed  in  their  gay, 
autumn  attire.  Their  road  lay  through 
rich  woods  of  maple,  birch  and  oak, 
brilliant  in  their  red  and  yellow  hues. 

Mrs.  Curtis  could  scarcely  express 
her  delight. 

'•  Oh,  there  is  a  branch  so  perfect ! 
I  must  have  tfrat ! "  or,  "  Lawrence, 
it's  too  bad  to  trouble  you  again  ;  but 
it  does  seem  wicked  to  pass  so  many 


t/4       BEKTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

beauties.  They  would  look  so  lovely 
in  our  new  house." 

And  Lawrence,  the  most  indulgent 
of  husbands,  would  check  up  his  gay 
horses,  and  spring  from  the  carriage 
and  break  off  branch  after  branch  as 
she  directed. 

Herbert  had  inherited  all  his  moth- 
er's love  for  the  beauties  of  nature,  as 
well  as  her  enthusiasm.  His  cheeks 
glowed  and  his  blue  eyes  sparkled  as 
she  piled  her  treasures  in  his  lap, 
charging  him  to  guard  them  with 
care. 


THE    SORROWING    FATHER.  55 

At  length  they  reached  the  town 
and  drove  at  once  to  the  hotel, 
where  Mr.  Curtis  left  them,  prom- 
ising to  return  in  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes. 

The  air  was  so  fine  that  Mrs.  Curtis 
preferred  to  sit  in  the  carriage,  which 
she  could  easily  do  as  the  hostler 
stood  at  the  horses'  heads. 

The  children  were  chatting  gayly 
when  a  loud  geeing.was  heard  ;  and 
presently  an  ox-team  was  seen  slowly 
approaching  from  the  direction  of  the 
granite  quarry. 


5H       BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

"  Oh,  mamma  !  "  said  Bertie  greatly 
excited,  "  there's  Mr.  Cahart.  I  do 
hope  he  will  stop  and  speak  to  me. 
I  want  to  know  why  his  son  did 
not  come  to  Woodlawn  as  he  prom- 
ised." 

The  child  leaned  as  far  as  he  could 
from  the  carriage,  hoping  to  attract 
attention  ;  but  the  man  did  not  once 
glance  toward  him.  His  face  looked 
very  sober,  as  if  his  heart  were  sore. 

Just  as  the  great  load  of  granite 
was  opposite  the  carriage  Bertie 
shouted  in  an  excited  tone : 


THE    SORROWING    FATHEE.  57 

"  Mr.  Cahart  !  Oh,  Mr.  Cahart  ! 
Please  stop  !  I  want  to  see  you  ! " 

Mrs.  Curtis  was  surprised  at  the 
effect  of  her  son's  voice  on  the  man. 
He  started,  gazed  about  him,  and 
then  spying  the  little  fellow  in  the 
carriage,  came  quickly  toward  them, 
seizing  the  small  hand  Bertie  so  cor- 
dially held  out,  and  exclaiming  with 
great  energy  : 

"Aye,  aye,  boy,  I'm  powerful  glad 
to  see  you !  " 

"  This  is  my  mamma,"  explained 
Bertie.  "  We  came  to  pay  Mr.  Ful- 


58   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

ler's  bill,  and  I  hoped  I  should  see 
you  somewhere  ;  but  why  didn't  you 

0 

let  your  son  come  to  see  us  \ " 

Mr.  Cahart's  face  worked  convul- 
sively. For  a  moment  he  seemed 
unable  to  articulate  one  word ;  but 
presently  recovering  himself  he  said, 
with  a  gasp  : 

"  I've  never  set  eyes  on  that  boy 
since." 

"  Why,  I'm  so  sorry,  where  is  he  ? " 
"  Run  off." 

"  Oh,  dear  !  how  could  he  do  so  ?" 
"  Did  you  never  find  where  he  had 


THE    SORROWING    FATHER.  59 

gone  ? "  inquired  Mrs.  Curtis  in  a 
deeply  sympathizing  tone. 

"  I  followed  him  to  the  city,  ma'am, 
found  he'd  sailed  the  morning  before, 
in  company  with  one  of  his  mates,  the 
worst  boy  in  town." 

The  last  words  were  accompanied 
by  a  groan. 

"  Where  was  the  vessel  bound  ? " 
asked  the  lady. 

"  For  the  West  Indies,  ma'am. 
She's  due  next  week;  but  I'm  afeard 
that  during  the  voyage  my  boy  has 
learned  nothing  but  wickedness  in 


50       BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

company  with  those  rough,  swearing 
sailors." 

Mrs.  Curtis  thought  this  so  prob- 
able that  she  could  not  think  of  a 
word  to  comfort  the  poor  father's 
heart,  and  Bertie  could  only  gaze  sor- 
rowfully in  his  face. 

The  man  turned  away,  and  made  a 
step  towards  his  oxen,  but  then  came 
back  and  said  abruptly  : 

"  I  never  shall  forget  your  boy, 
ma'am.  His  words  led  me  to  the  Bi- 
ble. Bad  as  wife  and  I  have  taken 
on  since  our  only  child  ran  away 


THE    SORROWING    FATHER.  61 

from  us,  we  should  have  been  a  great 
deal  worse  but  for  the  words  of  com- 
fort we  found  in  God's  book." 

"  I  am  truly  rejoiced  to  hear  you 
say  that,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Curtis, 
warmly.  "  If  you  have  learned  to 
pray,  you  will  find  comfort  in  leaving 
your  child  in  the  hands  of  the  al- 
mighty Friend  whose  eye  has  followed 
him  in  all  his  wanderings.  Re- 
member the  heart  of  our  Saviour 
yearns  over  the  creatures  for  whom 
he  has  shed  his  blood." 

"  Thank  you,  ma'am,"  faltere/1  the 


62   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

« 

man,  his  eyes  growing  dim.     "  I  wish 

wife  could  have  heard  you  talk  ;  but 
.  ~  •«• 

I  shall  tell  her  every  word  I  can  re- 
member. I  don't  mind  saying  to  you, 
that  wife  and  I  were  never  so  nigh 
each  other  as  since  we  began  to  pray. 
There  used  to  be  high  words  between 
us,  I  accusing  her  of  humoring  the 
boy  ;  and  she  calling  me  a  hard  old 
tyrant.  But  each  of  us  sees  now 
that  we  were  both  in  the  wrong.  If 
we'd  taught  him  the  Bible  from  the 
first,  he  would  have  stuck  to  it. 
There's  the  promise,  '  Train  up  a 


THE    SORROWING    FATHER.  63 

child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and 
when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart 
from  it.' " 

At  this  moment  Mr.  Curtis  was 
seen  hurrying  toward  them ;  and  Mr. 
Cahart  with  a  "  God  bless  your  boy; 
ma'am,"  turned  abruptly  away. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

CLEARING  THE  CREEK. 

JLBERT  DODGE,  the  new  gar- 
* 

dcner  passed  ten  days  while 
he  was  recruiting  his  health, 
in  visiting  gardens  and  green 
houses,  trying  to  improve  his  taste 
and  gain  all  the  information  in  his 
power.  He  had  agreed  with  Mr. 
Curtis  to  return  to  Oxford  as  soon  as 
the  family  were  settled  at  Woodlawn 


CLEARING    THE    CREEK.  65 

and  remain  as  long  as  the  weatliei 
would  allow  out-door  work.  When  the 
frost  forbade  further  improvements, 
he  was  to  leave  and  spend  three 
months  in  the  employ  of  Hantz,  the 
celebrated  florist. 

But  one  morning  the  very  last  of 
October,  as  Mr.  Curtis  was  sauntering 
along  near  the  lake,  absorbed  in  a 
project  he  had  just  formed,  the  daily 
coach  stopped  before  the  gate,  and 
who  should  spring  from  it  but  Albert 
Dodge. 

This  young  man,  as  I  have  already* 

6 


66   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

described,  had  such  a  merry  face  that 
fe\v  could  meet  him  without  a  warmth 
in  the  region  of  the  heart.  Certainly 
his  new  master  could  not,  and  advanc- 
ing cordially  he  held  out  his  hand, 
exclaiming : 

"  I  was  just  thinking  of  you,  and 
wishing  you  were  at  hand  to  help  me 
plan  a  little.  I  want  to  do  something 
with  this  brook." 

"  I  came  on  purpose  to  offer  a  sug- 
gestion, sir.  I've  been  here  and 
there  on  an  exploring  tour ;  and  I  am 
happy  to  say  I  have  found  no  place 


CLEARING   THE    CREEK.  67 

which  has  so  many  natural  advantages 
as  ours" 

He  laid  some  stress  on  the  word ; 
his  eye  twinkling,  and  then  added  : 

"  It  is  my  intention  to  make  myself 
so  important  to  you,  that  you  will 
never  part  with  me.  I  already  feel 
almost  as  much  interest  in  Woodlawn 
as  if  the  deeds  stood  registered  in  the 
name  of  Albert  Dodge." 

"  I'm  glad  of  it,"  answered  the 
Squire,  laughing,  "  and  to  prove  my 
confidence  in  your  ability,  I  will  ask 
you  what  I  shall  do  with  this  little 


68      BERTIE  AND   THE   GARDENERS. 

creek  ;  it  spreads  itself  out  very  awk- 
wardly just  at  this  point  where  it 
ought  to  be  most  graceful." 

"  I  have  it,  sir,"  said  Dodge  after  a 
careful  survey.  "  I  should  clear  the 
stream  which  runs  muddy  in  this 
place  by  throwing  pebbles  to  the  bot- 
tom ;  widen  it  twenty  feet  more  ;  make 
a  pretty  little  egg-shaped  island  in  the 
centre,  upon  which  I  should  plant  a 
few  shrubs  and  perhaps  a  weeping 
willow,  which  would  thrive  admirably 
in  this  wet  soil." 

"  Good  !  good !     It  shall  be  done ! 


CLEARING  THE   CREEK.  69 

When  shall  you  be  ready  to  go  -  to 
work?" 

"  To-day,  if  Grant  can  come  with 
his  oxen.  I  can  postpone  one  visit  I 
wish  to  make  till  winter." 

The  next  morning  Bertie  came  rid- 
ing to  the  spot  on  Whitefoot's  back. 
Buck  and  Bright  were  there,  the  wag- 
on backed  down  to  the  very  edge  of 
the  water,  while  Star  and  Spot  were 
,  dragging  off  a  load  of  mud  scraped  or 
scooped  up  from  the  bed  of  the  shal- 
low brook. 

"  Where  is  papa  ? "  inquired  Ber- 


70   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

tie,  after  he  had  sat  awhile  watching 
the  operations. 

"  Gone  with  the  new  gardener  to 
buy  some  trees,"  answered  Tom, 
laughing.  "  The  Squire's  up  to  all 
sorts  of  improvements.  Shouldn't 
wonder  a  mite  if  he  should  take  down 
yonder  mountain  to  give  him  a  view 
of  the  city." 

"  I  think  this  will  be  very  pretty 
when  it's  done,"  remarked  the  child. 

"  How  long  did  they  say  they  should 
be  gone  ? " 

•'  Didn't  say  in  my  hearing.     Ber- 


CLEARING   THE    CREEK.  71 

% 

tie  I  wish  you'd  ask  the  Squire  if  he'd 
like  a  load  of  beach  pebbles,  'cause  if 
he  does,  I'll  bring  him  a  load  to-mor- 
row morning.  Those  are  the  kind  to 
make  this  water  run  clear." 

"  Oh,  there  they  are  ! "  shouted  the 
boy,  trotting  off  to  meet  them.  "Have 
you  bought  the  trees,  Papa  ? " 

"  Yes,  and  brought  them  home, 
don't  you  see  them  \  " 

"  What,  those  little  things  1 " 

"  Willows  grow  very  fast,  my  son. 
They  will  thrive  better  than  if  they 
were  larger." 


72  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

"  But,  papa,  how  can  we  get  to  the 
island  ?  Shall  we  have  a  bridge  ? " 

"  You  must  ask  Dodge,  Bertie. 
He  is  the  author  of  this  plan." 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  would  be  better 
than  a  bridge,"  explained  Dodge, 
laughing.  "  You  must  learn  to  row 
a  boat ;  and  then  you  can  land  at  any 
place,  you  know.  But  our  island  is 
more  for  ornament  than  for  profit. 
We  dou't  expect  to  have  a  settlement 
there." 

"  Why  wouldn't  it  be  pretty  to  have 
a  little  house  for  the  swans  on  it  ? 


CLEARING  THE  CREEK.  73 

Joe  Allen  told  me  they  could  be 
taught  to  come  on  shore  for  their 
feed." 

u  We  will  consider  that  proposal, 
my  dear,  when  the  island  is  in  exist- 
ence," answered  papa ;  "  in  the 
meantime  you  may  think  of  a  pretty 
name  for  it." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

PAT'S  VISIT  HOME. 

HOPE  my  readers  have  become 
so  much  interested  in  Pat  Riley 
that  they  will  be  as  glad  to 
hear  from  him  as  Bertie  was. 
We  left  him,  as  you  know,  in  Mrs. 
Taylor's  back  chamber,  making,  tops 
for  the  children.  TTI  a  few  days  he 
was  able  to  go  down  stairs.  The  first 
use  he  made  of  his  liberty  was  to 

(74; 


PAT'S  VISIT  HOME.  75 

make  a  reel  for  Mrs.  Taylor  to  wind 
her  yarn  on. 

Wishing  to  keep  the  boy  employed, 
the  good  woman  had  borrowed  a  reel 
of  a  neighbor,  and  set  him  to  work 
winding  thread.  The  contrivance 
greatly  delighted  him.  He  examined 
it  with  the  utmost  care,  pushing  it  up 
and  down,  to  fit  it  for  a  larger  or 
smaller  skein,  much  to  the  amuse- 
ment of  the  good  woman. 

"  Did  you  never  see  one  before  ? " 
she  asked,  smiling. 

"  No,  ma'am,  but  it's  very  nice." 


76     BERTIE    AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

No  more  was  said  on  the  subject, 
and  she  never  noticed  that  he  exam- 
ined it  again  ;  but  the  third  day  after 
he  was  released  from  the  chamber 
he  followed  her  one  day  into  the  pan- 
try, and  presented  her  a  new  one 
made  by  his  own  hands. 

"  You  wont  have  to  borrow  again," 
he  said,  his  face  all  in  a  glow  of 
pleasure.  "  I'm  going  to  try  it  now. 
I  saved  one  skein  on  purpose." 

Mrs.  Taylor  carried  it  out  and  ex- 
hibited it  in  triumph  to  the  family. 

"  Did  you    do   it    all    yourself  ? " 


PAT'S  VISIT  HOME.  77 

asked  Mr.  Curtis,  smiling  his  appro- 
bation. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  but  I  had  seen  the  one 
up  stairs.  I  made  more  holes  though, 
'cause  that  was  too  'large  for  some 
skeins  and  not  large  enough  for 
others." 

"  You  are  a  genius,  Pat.  I  have 
no  doubt  you  '11  succeed,  now  that 
you  've  resolved  to  try  your  best." 

The  day  before  he  left  for  the 
school,  Pat  asked  Mrs.  Taylor's  per- 
mission to  go  and  bid  his  father  good- 
by.  It  was  some  weeks  since  the  old 


78   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

man  had  been  there,  though  he  prom 
ised  to  come  in  a  day  or  two.     The 
good  woman  consented,  though   she 
told  him  the  air  was  rather  chilly  for 
a  boy  who  had  been  so  sick. 

On  his  way  he  passed  the  spot 
where  Bertie  had  first  talked  with 
him.  He  stopped  and  sat  on  the  top 
of  the  stone  wall,  where  he  had  lis- 
tened to  the  first  kind  words  he  ever 
remembered  to  have  heard  addressed 
to  him.  I  trust  no  little  boy  or  girl 
who  reads  this  will  think  the  worse 
of  him,  when  I  tell  them  that  his 


PAT'S  VISIT  HOME.  79 

\ 
breast  began  to  heave,  and  the  tears 

gushed  to  his  eyes. 

"  I  wouldn't  be  '  thieving  Pat ' 
again,"  he  said,  doubling  his  fist,  "  no, 
not  for —  not  for — "  At  this  moment 
his  eye  rested  on  the  handsome  new 
edifice  at  Woodlawn;  and  he  added 
with  an  impressive  gesture,  "  no,  not 
for  the  Squire's  new  house.  I  'd 
rather  starve  again  and  have  mammy 
push  me  down  stairs  or  anything 
rather  than  go  sneaking  round  hiding 
behind  the  walls,  and  feeling  so 
ashamed  to  look  any  body  in  the  face. 


80   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

No,  no.  I'll  stick  to  the  new  Patrick, 
as  Mrs.  Taylor  tells  about,  let  what 
will  come,  I  '11  never  lie  to  Bertie,  and 
go  back  to  my  old  ways." 

He  felt  stronger  and  better  after 
this  resolve,  and  walked  on  rapidly 
until  he  reached  the  tree  into  which 
he  had  climbed  to  watch  for  Bertie. 
The  sight  of  his  old  home  just  beyond, 
had  excited  him  a  good  deal ;  and  he 
laughed  at  the  recollections  of  his 
fear  that  the  Squire  had  sent  Joe 
Allen  to  take  him  to  jail. 

Then  he  stepped  up  to  the  door 


PAT'S  VISIT  HOME.  81 

and  looked  within.  All  seemed  de- 
serted. A  few  half-burnt  brands  had 
broken  and  fallen  apart  on  the  wide, 
old-fashioned  hearth,  the  low  wooden 
chair  usually  occupied  by  his  father 
was  vacant ;  a  piece  of  crust,  mouldy 
with  age,  lay  on  the  table,  and  a 
broken  pipe  beside  it. 

Pat  stood  a  moment  gazing  around, 
his  face  growing  every  moment  more 
sad,  then  suddenly  ran  up  the  old 
creaking  stairs  to  his  own  chamber. 

"  She's  done  it.  I  knew  she  would," 
he  exclaimed,  angrily.  "  She  always 


82   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

did  everything  she  could  to  spite 
me!" 

He  picked  from  the  dirty  floor  two 
or  three  tail  feathers  of  a  tiny  yellow 
bird  which  he  had  saved  from  the 
jaws  of  a  cat,  though  not  until  it  had 
received  it's  death  wound  ;  and  which 
after  a  fashion  of  his  own  he  had 
stuffed. 

This,  almost  his  only  treasure,  his 
drunken  step-mother  had  deliberately 
pulled  to  pieces,  scattering  the  feath- 
ers on  the  floor. 

One  tiny  feather  he  put  into  his 


PAT'S  VISIT  HOME.  83 

pocket  as  a  memorial  of  the  life  which 
had  forever  passed,  and  then  hurried 
away  from  scenes  which  recalled  such 
bitter  memories. 

"  Dad  is  gone,"  he  exclaimed  aloud, 
walking  a  short  distance  from  the 
house,  then  turning  back  for  another 
last  gaze  ;  "  and  perhaps  I  shall  nev- 
er see  him  again." 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

LETTER   FROM   PAT. 

JEFORE  this  he  had  been  glad 
to  meet  no  one ;  but  now  he 
felt  a  keen  desire  to  ascertain 
where  his  father  had  gone ; 
and  resolved  to  return  by  the  way  of 
Tom  Grant's,  though  a  flurry  of  snow 
filled  the  air,  and  inquire  whether 
Mr.  Riley  had  been  seen  of  late. 
Mrs.  Grant,  Tom's  mother,  was  get- 


LETTER   FROM    PAT,  85 

ting  dinner,  while  Jerry  was  at  work 
cutting  wood  in  the  back  yard.  The 
old  lady  knew  how  hard  Pat  had  tried 
to  reform,  and  greeted  him  in  a  most 
cordial  manner. 

"  Why,  Patrick  !  "  she  exclaimed, 
catching  hold  of  his  arm,  "  Come 
right  in  out  of  the  snow.  So  ycr 
going  off  to  school,  I  hear  my  son 
say,  well  it's  a  lucky  chance  for  ye, 
and  I  wish  ye  well.  Sit  right  down 
now.  Thomas  will  be  at  home  soon, 
and  he'll  be  glad  to  see  ye." 

"  I  must  be  going  in  a  minute," 


86     BERTIE    AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

Pat  answered,  twirling  his  hat,  I  only 
wanted  to  know  when  you've  seen 
Daddy.  I've  been  to  the  old  place, 
and  there's  no  sign  of  anybody  living 
in  it." 

"  Haven't  ye  heard?  Well,  I  s'pose 
ye  haven't.  Yer  daddy's  cleared  out, 
bag  and  baggage.  I  don't  s'pose  he 
had  to  hire  much  of  a  team,  either, 
to  carry  off  what  was  left  at  the  old 
place  ;  but  he  took  his  pipe  and  a 
change  of  clothes ;  and  I  don't  be- 
lieve there  is  enough  left  in  the 
shanty,  to  make  it  dangerous  to  leave 


LETTER   FROM    PAT.  87 

the  door  open  o'  nights.  Folks  aa 
heard  him  talk,  do  say  he  was  clear 
discouraged  with  yer  mammy's  drink- 
ing and  quarrelling ;  and  he's  gin  her 
up  entirely.  But  I  can't  tell  nothing 
how  that  is." 

"  Do  you  know  where  he's  gone  \  " 
asked  Pat. 

"  La,  no ;  I  don't  s'pose  he  knew 
hisself.  He  had  a  stick  over  his 
shoulder,  and  his  bundle  hung  on  the 
end  on't,  and  that's  all  I  can  tell  ye." 

The  hoy  turned  without  a  word, 
and  walked  away.  He  knew  now 


88       BERTIE   AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

why  his  father  came  to  the  farm  again 
50  soon  after  his  first  visit ;  and  why 
he  consented  so  easily  that  the  Squire 
should  send  him  to  school.  He  had 
resolved  to  quit  his  old  home  forever. 

All  this  he  told  Mrs.  Taylor  that 
night,  and  ended  with  a  sigh. 

"  I  don't  suppose  he  and  I  shall 
ever  see  each  other  again.  He  w.asn't 
so  bad  till  mammy  carne." 

About  a  week  after  he  reached  the 
school,  his  teacher  wrote  Mr.  Curtis, 

"  Patrick  Riley  arrived  here  a  few 
days  after  the  term  commenced,  and 


LETTER    FROM   PAT. 

has  conducted  himself  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  win  the  approbation  of  all 
his  teachers.  I  agree  with  you,  that 
he  will  make  a  smart  man ;  and  from 
present  appearances,  I  hope  also,  a 
useful  one.  I  mentioned  to  him  that 
I  intended  to  write  you,  and  was  grat- 
ified to  notice  that  he  is  not  destitute 
of  gratitude  for  all  you  have  done  to 
improve  his  condition.  He  requested 
me  to  express  his  thanks,  also  to  your 
son,  who  he  says  first  awoke  in  him 
a  desire  to  become  an  honest  boy, 
and  likewise  to  Mrs.  Taylor.  Pat- 


90   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

rick  is  taking  hold  of  hjs  lessons  with 
a  will,  and  hopes  to  write  you  soon. 
Respectfully  yours, 

JOHNATHAN    HAVEN." 

This  letter  was  read  with  great  in- 
terest by  all  the  family ;  but  there 
was  no  one  who  rejoiced  so  much  at 
Pat's  good  conduct  as  Bertie. 

Mrs.  Curtis  was  greatly  affected 
the  night  following  to  hear  the  little 
boy  thank  God  for  helping  Pat  to  be 
good  and  obey  the  commandments. 

About  a  fortnight  later,  Whitefoot 
stopped  at  the  village  post  office,  and 


LETTER    FROM    PAT.  91 

Bertie  jumped  from  his  carriage  and 
ran  in  with  a  package  of  letters  foi 
the  mail. 

"  Look  here  ! "  exclaimed  the  girl, 
who  delivered  letters,  "  Is  this  for 
you?" 

The  child  glanced  at  it,  laughing 
and  blushing.  It  was  a  curious 
shaped  epistle,  almost  square,  with- 
out an  envelope,  the  name  being  a 
rough  imitation  of  printing,  and 
spelled  Birty  Kertis,  Oxford  ;  care 
Squier  Kertis. 

"  I  think  it  must  be  intended  for 


92   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

you,"  said  the  girl,  with  an  arch 
glance.  "  It  is  post-marked  Lexing- 
ton." 

"  Oh,  yes,  it's  mine !  "  exclaimed 
the  boy.  "  It's  from  Pat  Riley,  I 
guess  he  wrote  it  himself." 

It  was  indeed  from  Patrick.  I  do 
not  think  my  readers  could  decipher 
it,  if  I  copied  the  curious  spelling,  I 
shall,  therefore,  give  it  as  Mrs.  Curtis, 
after  considerable  study,  read  it  to 
Bertie. 

"  DEAR  FRIEND  :  —  There's  a  big 
boy  here  as  knows  how  to  write  tip- 


LEWER    FROM    PAT.  93 

top.  I  and  Tip  (that's  his  name)  are 
the  most  popular  boys  in  school. 
He's  agreed  to  write  this  letter  for 
me,  'cause  I  want  ye  to  know  how 
I'm  getting  on;  and  there's  something 
I  want  to  tell  ye  awful  bad,  'cause  I 
know  ye'll  like  it.  You  was  the  first 
one  that  ever  spoke  encouraging  to 
me,  and  I'll  never  forget  it  of  ye  as 
long  as  I  know  myself,  nor  then 
either.  I'm  going  to  try  and  be  a 
Squire  like  your  pa ;  and  then  I'll 
take  all  the  little  thieving  fellows  I 
can  find,  and  help  'em  to  be  good. 


94      BERTIE   AND   THE   GARDENERS. 

Rich  folks  don't  know  how  hard  'tis 
for  ptior  ones  to  keep  from  stealin' 
when  their  stomach  is  as  flimpsy  as  a 
rag.  I  know  how  to  pity  'em,  for 
when  mammy  locked  me  up  till  I'd 
agree  to  steal  again,  there  was  such  a 
gnawing  and  gnawing,  that  I  should 
have  give  in,  if  it  hadn't  been  for 
you. 

"  Every  time,  I'd  say  to  myself,  I 
can't  stand  it  no  longer ;  then  I'd  see 
you  a  sitting  in  your  donkey  carriage, 
looking  at  me  with  such  sorry  eyes. 

"  But  that  isn't  what  I  was  going 


LETTER   FROM   PAT.  95 

to  tell  yer ;  and  Tip  is  getting  tired 
writing  such  a  lot  of  stuff.  I've  be- 
gun to  be  a  soldier,  I  don't  wear  any 
uniform  except  a  little  blue  star  on 
my  coat ;  but  everybody  knows  by 
this,  that  I'm  trying  to  fight  against 
all  my  old  habits.  It's  hard  work  I 
tell  you.  Tisn't  as  if  I  was  at  Mrs. 
Taylor's,  with  everybody  helping  me, 
and  nothing  to  make  me  cross. 
There's  lots  of  bad  boys  here,  who 
wont  join  the  company  of  soldiers, 
and  they  do  everything  they  can  to 
hinder  and  bother  us.  I'm  most 


96   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

afraid  to  tell  yer  one  thing,  for  fear 
ye'll  think  Tip  and  I  are  better  than 
we  are.  We've  begun  to  pray  God 
to  help  us,  and  it  does  come  a  sight 
easier  to  do  as  we  oughter. 

"  If  ever  ye  see  anything  of  my 
poor  old  father,  I'd  like  him  to  know 
that  I  pray  for  him  whenever  I  do 
for  myself.  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  I 
should  get  so  I  could  forgive  mammy 
sometime  Perhaps  she  didn't  know 
any  better. 

Your  true  friend, 

PATRICK  RILE*." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

BERTIE'S  SPELLING  MATCH. 

ARLY  in  November,  Mr.  Cur 
tis  removed  his  family  to 
Woodlawn;  and  Bertie  com- 
menced attending  school.  It 
was  too  far  for  him  to  walk,  and  now 
he  found  Whitefoot  a  greater  conve- 
nience than  ever.  Close  by  the 
schoolhousc  lived  a  farmer  by  the 
name  of  Camp,  who  readily  agreed 

7  197) 


98   BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

with  Mr.  Curtis  to  allow  the  donkey 
to  stand  in  his  barn  during  school 
hours. 

Miss  Esther  Taylor,  his  former 
teacher,  welcomed  him  back  with 
great  pleasure,  for  she  had  learned  to 
love  him  like  a  brother.  His  health 
had  now  greatly  improved  by  so  much 
exercise  in  the  open  air,  and  he  re- 
solved to  study  hard  through  all  the 
winter  months. 

I  suppose  there  arc  many  children 
more  forward  in  their  lessons  than  he 
was ;  but  he  had  laid  a  good  founda- 


BERTIE'S  SPELLING  MATCH.       99 

tion  for  an  education.  He  could  read 
correctly,  and  with  expression,  and 
had  begun  Colburn's  Mental  Arithme- 
tic. In  geography  he  had  only 
learned  the  general  divisions  of  the 
globe,  and  had  begun  to  draw  upon 
his  slate,  islands,  lakes,  capes,  penin- 
sulas, etc.,  which  greatly  helped  him 
to  understand  the  explanations  in  his 
book. 

In  spelling,  Bertie  was  rather  back- 
ward,-not  being  quick  to  learn  the 
sounds  of  which  the  word  was  com- 
posed. 


100  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

Miss  Taylor  was  resolved  her  pu- 
pils should  excel  in  arithmetic  and 
spelling.  In  order  to  excite  their  am- 
bition she  allowed  them  twice  a  week 
to  have  what  is  called  a  spelling- 
match. 

Two  boys  or  two  girls  among  the 
best  spellers  were  chosen  alternately 
by  vote  of  the  scholars,  and  these 
called  out  from  among  their  mates  the 
names  of  those  they  wished  on  their 
side.  Of  course  each  one  wished  the 
best  spellers,  in  order  that  his  side 
might  win  the  prize,  and  as  pocr 


BERTIE'S  SPELLING  MATCH.     101 

Bertie  generally  failed,  he  was  left 
out. 

After  this  had  occurred  two  or  three 
times,  the  little  fellow  began  to  feel 
mortified ;  and  one  night  said  to  his 
mamma,  — 

"  Will  you  please  buy  me  a  satchel  ? 
I'm  going  to  bring  home  my  spelling- 
book  every  night ;  and  I  can't  carry 
it  very  well  on  White  foot's  back,  with- 
out  it's  in  a  satchel." 

Mrs.  Curtis  left  the  room,  and  pres 
ently  returned  with  a  small  leathet 
bag,  to  which  a  strap  was  attached. 


102  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

"  Will  this  dp  ]  "  she  asked. 

u  Oh,  yes,  mamma!  that  is  just 
what  I  wanted." 

After  this,  mamma,  and  papa,  and 
Mrs.  Dodge,  and  Nellie,  and  Bertie, 
and  Nancy  had  a  great  many  spelling* 
matches,  the  rule  being  that  every  one 
who  pronounced  the  word  must  do  so 
with  the  greatest  distinctness,  so  that 
every  letter  as  far  as  possible  should 
be  articulated. 

Before  the  winter  was  past,  Bertie's 
dislike  to  his  spelling-book  was  wholly 
conquered,  and  he  was  called  as  often 


BERTIE'S  SPELLING  MATCH.     103 

as  any  scholar  to  try  for  the  prize  in 
the  spelling-match. 

This  was  the  first  winter  the  chil- 
dren had  ever  passed  in  the  country. 
When  the  snow  began  to  fall,  Win- 
nie was  delighted,  and  went  out  to 
catch  the  flakes  on  a  piece  of  paper. 

Their  house  was  of  a  June  tempera- 
ture, while  the  new  conservatory  fur- 
nished bouquets  and  cut  flowers  in 
abundance. 

It  was  not  the  intention  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Curtis  to  keep  aloof  from  the 
villagers.  Indeed,  by  this  time,  the 


104    BERTIE   AND   TUB    GARDENERS. 

Oxford  people  well  understood  that   , 
the  Squire  and  his  wife  were  ready  to 
befriend  them  whenever  they  were  iu 
distress. 

The  gentleman  taught  a  class  in  the 
Sabbath  School,  composed  of  married 
ladies  who  had  never  before  been 
members. 

Mrs.  Taylor,  who  was  one  of  the 
class,  often  remarked  she  would  arise 
long  before  light  rather  than  to  lose 
the  opportunity  of  hearing  the  Bible 
explained  in  the  simple,  practical 
way  the  Squire  performed  the  service, 


BERTIE'S  SPELLING  MATCH.      105 

It  was  a  happy  day  for  the  good 
pastor  of  Oxford  when  Mr.  Curtis 
purchased  his  farm  at  Woodlawu. 
From  their  first  introduction,  the 
hearts  of  these  truly  Christian  persons 
were  drawn  toward  each  other. 
They  were  working  in  the  same  cause 
to  win  souls  to  the  Saviour  whom  they 
loved  One  was  rich,  and  the  other 
comparatively  poor ;  but  both  had 
consecrated  themselves  and  all  that 
they  possessed,  to  the  Saviour,  who 
had  bought  them  with  his  precious 
blood  ;  and  both  desired  so  to  live  and 


106  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

to  train  their  families,  that  when  lying 
on  the  bed  of  death,  they  might  say 
with  Paul,  —  "  I  have  fought  a  good 
fight ;  I  have  finished  my  course ;  I 
have  kept  the  faith ;  henceforth  there 
is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  right- 


eousness." 


CHAPTER  X. 

BERTIE'S  PRESENTS. 

HRISTMAS  Day  dawned  clear 
and  cold.     As  soon  as  it  was 

Kja-      light  enough  to  see  across  the 

«u 

\J      chamber  Bertie  crept  from  his 

bed  toward  the  window,  where  on 
one  of  the  knobs  belonging  to  the 
shutters,  he  could  see  a  huge  stock- 
ing tied  by  a  string,  and  stuffed  to  its 
utmost  capacity. 

(191) 


108  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

The  little  fellow  laughed  heart ily 
as  he  felt  of  the  stocking,  to  ascer 
tain  what  was  within  it.  Then  he 
jumped  on  a  chair,  trying  to  take 
the  sock  down,  but  with  a  sudden 
thought, — 

"  Winnie  would  like  to  see  me 
take  the  things  out,"  he  leaped  into 
bed  again,  and  began  in  his  childish 
way  to  guess  what  presents  he  had 
received,  and  who  they  were  from. 

"  I  wonder  whether  I  shall  have  a 
new  Bible,"  he  said  half  aloud,  "  I 
had  a  Bible  last  year  from  mamma ; 


BERTIE'S  PRESENTS.  109 

but  no,  I  don't  think  she'll  give  me 
another,  because  she  said  she  hoped 

that  one  would  last  me  for   a  long 

t 

time." 

Presently  he  heard  some  little  feet 
pattering  along  the  hall,  and  then 
Winnie's  hright  face  peeped  into  the 
room. 

"  Dit  up,  Bertie,"  she  said,  laugh- 
ing, and  showing  all  her  white  teeth, 
"  Dit  up,  and  have  a  merry  Tismus." 

"  Oh,  Winnie  darling,  I  hope  you'll 
have  many  merry  Christmases  !  Now 
let's  go  and  see  papa  and  mamma, 


110  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

and  then  when  Nancy  has  dressed 
you,  I'll  show  you  my  presents." 

"  Law  ! "  exclaimed  Nancy,  raising 
her  hands,  "  you  don't  mean  to  say 
you  haven't  taken  down  your  stock- 
ing. What  would  Saint  Nick  say  ] " 

"  I  know  who  Saint  Nick,  is," 
Bertie  answered,  with  a  merry  laugh, 
"  It's  mamma,  I  saw  her  last  year 
come  creeping  softly  into  my  room  in 
the  city,  and  hang  it  up.  I'd  rather 
have  mamma  than  anybody,  because 
she  knows  what  I  would  like." 

•*  Well,    dear,    hurry   and    dress. 


BERTIE'S  PRESENTS.  Ill 

\ 

Your  mamma  isn't  awake  yet;  and 
then  you  can  show  us  your  pres- 
ents." 

"  Did     you     give     me     anything, 
nurse?" 

"  I  !  what    a   question !  "  she   ex- 
claimed, in  pretended  horror. 

"  But  I  think  you  did,  because 
when  I  went  to  the  nursery  of  a  sud 
den  last  night,  you  threw  your  apron 
over  something  you  was  working, 
and  you  looked  ever  so  queer." 

"  Why,  Bertie,  I  never  thought  you 
watched   me   so,  I   must  be   careful 


112  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

what  I  do.  Well,  supposing  I  did, 
what  should  you  like  best  I  " 

"A  ball  for  Winnie  and  I  to  play 
in  the  house  with.  One  that  would 
not  break  (he  windows,  I  mean." 

Nurse  laughed  and  looked  wise, 
and  then  left  the  room.  Soon  after 
Bertie  finished  dressing,  and  ran  to 
wish  mamma  and  papa  a  "  Merry 
Christmas." 

"Well,  my  son,  has*  St.  Nick, 
crept  down  your  chimney  1 "  asked 
papa  directing  an  arch  glance  at  his 
wife. 


BERTIE'S  PRESENTS.  1 1 JJ 

"  My  St.  Nick,  has,"  was  the  boy's 
answer,  as  he  kissed  his  mamma. 

"  What  was  in  the  stocking,  then  ? 
I  think  it's  very  strange  no  one 
hung  a  stocking  for  me." 

"  What  is  that  over  yonder,  Law- 
rence ? "  asked  the  lady,  laughing. 

"Ah,  a  stocking  for  me !  that  is 
more  than  I  expected.  Well,  now 
I'm  satisfied  that's  a  joke  ;  and  I  shall 
find  nothing  in  it  but  paper." 

"  I'll  run  and  get  mine,  and  then 
we'll  look  over  our  presents  together," 
said  Bertie,  in  great  glee. 

/ 

B 


114:  BERTIE   AXD   THE   GARDENERS. 

Winnie  now  came  in  bringing  a  doll 
almost  as  large  as  herself.  It  was 
made  of  kid,  with  a  porcelain  face, 
and  had  dresses  which  could  be 
taken  off  or  put  on  at  pleasure.  This 
was  given  her  by  Mrs.  Dodge  and  the 
clothes  by  Nelly. 

With  a  loud  shout  Bertie  pulled  out 
a  small  box  in  which  was  a  ginger- 
bread man  riding  on  a  donkey.  "  I 
know  where  that  came  from  very 
quick,"  he  said.  "  It  smells  just  like 
Mrs.  Taylor's  gingerbread.  Oh,  isn't 
it  funnv  ? " 


BERTIE'S  PRESENTS.  115 

"  It  -is  a  very  striking  resemblance 
of  you  and  Whitefoot,"  remarked  pa- 
pa, trying  to,  look  grave,  at  which 
everybody  laughed  heartily. 

Next  came  a  small  package  tied 
with  red  cord,  which  contained — 
what  do  you  imagine  "?  Why,  a  night- 
cap, with  cook's  compliments. 

It  was  found  to  be  a  perfect  fit,  and 
mamma  told  him  it  would  keep  his 
hair  from  being  so  snarled  in  the 
morning. 

A  pretty  ball,  just  such  as  Bertie 
had  caught  a  glimpse  of  under  Nau« 


116   BERTIE  AND   THE   GJLRDENEHS. 

cy's  apron  was  next  brought  to  view, 
which  so  much  delighted  him  that  he 
dropped  the  stocking  _  and  began  to 
toss  it  at  once. 

There  was  a  gift  from  Miss  Lerow 
of  a  beautiful  pair  of  reins,  knit  of 
bright  worsted  and  ornamented  with 
little  bells.  But  what  pleased  him 
perhaps  more  than  everything  else, 
was  a  jack-knife  from  Edward  Torrey 
with  the  words,  "  To  the  forgiving 
boy,"  marked  on  the  inside  of  the 
pasteboard  box. 

Old  Mrs.  Grant  had  not  forgotten 


BERTIE'S  PRESENTS.  117 

to  add  her  gift,  which  was  a  pair  of 
warm  mittens,  done  up  with  a  nice, 
knit  comforter  from  Mary  Jerrold 
Monsey. 

Altogether  it  was  a  great  success, 
and  everybody  felt  very  happy. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE    HEART   AND    HAND. 

don't  you  open  your  stock- 

lit 

ing,  papa  ?      inquired  Bertie, 
when  he  saw  the  gentleman 
about  to  leave  his  chamber/ 
"  I'll  leave  that  to  mamma,"  he  said 
laughing. 

';  But  really,  Lawrence,"  she  an- 
swered, "  you  might  see  for  yourself. 
You'll  regret  it  if  you  don't." 

("8) 


THE  HEAHT  AND  HAXD.    119 

"  Oh,  of  course,  Cecilia,  and  spoil 
your  joke !  "  He  hesitated  a  moment, 
but  catching  a  glimpse  of  Bertie's  anx- 
ious face,  he  turned  back  suddenly, 
and  took  down  the  stocking  from  the 
hook. 

Putting  his  hand  cautiously  into 
the  top,  as  if  he  were  afraid  of  being 
bitten,  at  which  the  children  shouted 
with  laughter,  he  pulled  forth  a  nicely 
rolled  package,  the  outside  of  which 
he  most  carefully  examined  with  his 
fingers. 

"  Very  fine  ! "  he  exclaimed,  with 


120  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

a  quick  glance  at  his  wife.  "  It  is  a 
doughnut,  I  presume." 

"  Doughnuts  are  not  to  be  despised 
when  they  are  given  to  express  affec- 
tion," she  answered,  gravely. 

"  Well,"  he  said,  laying  the  pack- 
age on  his  knees,  "  I'll  sec  what  else 
there  is.  I  may  find  a  solitary  raisin 
enveloped  in  a  pound  or  two  of  paper." 

"  Oh,  papa,  you're  too  funny ! " 
shouted  Bertie. 

"  Quick,  Lawrence,  the  bell  will 
ring  for  breakfast  presently." 

He  drew  cautiously  from  the  stock- 


THE  HEART  AND  HAND.     121 

ing  a  small  box,  tied  and  sealed  with 
wax. 

"All  very  grand,"  be  began,  with  a 
shrug  of  the  shoulders,  when  his  wife 
caught  it  from  his  hands. 

"  Open  the  other,  first,"  she  said. 

He  tore  off  the  paper,  and  presently 
came  to  a  note  addressed  to  "  Law- 
rence Curtis^  Esq."  in  a  beautifully 
neat  hand.  Opening  it  cautiously, 
he  glanced  at  the  bottom,  and  saw 
the  names  of  his  entire  class,  when 
his  countenance  changed  at  once. 

"  Really,"  he  said,  "  I  had  no  idea 


122  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

of  this,"  reading  aloud,  "'Will  our 
dear  teacher  please  accept  the  en- 
closed slippers  as  a  trifling  token  of 
our  gratitude?' 

"  They  are  beautiful !  very  tasteful ; 
exactly  what  I  wanted !  I  must  have 
'  them  made  up  at  once.  Oh  !  here  is 
the  cash  for  that  purpose  !  Well,  my 
friends,  I'm  very  grateful.  Now  I'm 
encouraged  to  try  again,"  taking  up 
the  box,  and  quizzically  glancing 
into  the  blushing  face  before  him. 

It  contained  a  watch-chain  of  ex 
quisite    workmanship,    manufactured 


THE  HEART  AND  HAND.     123 

of  hair  and  gold,  attached  to  which 
was  an  ornament  in  the  shape  of  a 
heart,  and  a  key  in  the  form  of  a  hand. 

"  My  heart  and  my  hand  are  all  I 
have  to  give,"  she  whispered,  kissing 
his  forehead,  while  a  tear  glistened  in 
her  eye.  "  The  chain  was  made  from 
the  hair  you  cut  from  my  head  when 
I  was  so  very  sick." 

He  raised  the  precious  token  to  his 
lips,  exclaiming  with  great  tenderness, 
"  I  shall  wear  it  as  long  as  I  live. 
What  would  the  world  be  to  me,  Ce- 
cilia, without  your  heart  and  hand  ?  " 


BERTIE    AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

There  was  a  service  in  the  church 
at  ten,  and  at  noon  all  the  really  aged 
people  in  the  parish  had  been  invited 
to  a  dinner  at  Woodlawn. 

"  I  want  to  have  a  regular  house- 
warming,"  Mr.  Curtis  had  said  to  his 
wife.  "  I  want  to  warm  it  with  the 
good  will  of  all  our  villagers."  So  it 
was  decided  that  the  old  people  should 
come  to  dinner,  the  married  persons 
and  children  to  tea,  and  the  young 
people  of  both  sexes  in  the  evening. 

I  wish  I  could  paint  a  picture  of 
the  happy  faces  that  gathered  around 


THE    HEART    AND    HAND.  125 

the  festal  bt/ard  during  that  lovely 
Christmas  Day.  There  was  the  good 
pastor  and  his  family  improving  this 
pleasant  occasion  to  speak  a  word 
here  and  there  as  it  was  needed 
among  their  flock.  There  were  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hunt,  leading  Susy  who  had 
just  returned  from  the  hospital.  There 
was  Thomas  Grant,  his  face  red  as  a 
beet,  gallanting  a  very  sensible  look- 
ing girl  who  was  soon  to  become  his 
wife.  There  were  swarms  of  laddies 
and  lasses,  kept  in  constant  good 
humor  by  Albert  Dodge,  who  had  re- 


126    BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

turned  to  Oxford   for   the   occasion 
There  were  groups  of  children  headed 
by  Bertie,  playing  all  sorts  of  games, 
or  gathering  in  a  circle  around    the 
Squire,  who  tf:ld  them  funny  stories. 

"  You  have  learned  the  secret  of 
living,"  remarked  the  Pastor,  when 
he  came  to  take  leave.  "  In  pro- 
moting the  happiness  and  welfare  of 
those  abou^  us  we  ensure  our  own."  . 

"  That  is  the  rule  by  which  my  wife 
is  training  our  boy,"  answered  the  gen- 
tleman. "  No  other  house-warming 
could  have  pleased  us  so  well  as  this." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

VIOLETS  AND  VIOLETTA. 

HEN  spring  came,  Bertie  went 
one  morning  into  his  mamma's 
chamber  with  a  bunch  of  the 
earliest  violets. 
The  curtains  were  dropped  before 
the  large  bay  window,  and  though  it 
was  not  cold  a  pleasant  fire  crackled 
in  the  open  grate. 
"  Why,  mamma,   are   you  sick  1 " 


128  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

Bertie  asked,  running  'quickly  to  the 
side  of  the  bed. 

"  Have  you  seen  papa  ?  "  said  mam- 
ma, smiling.  "  He  went  out  to  tell 
you  I  have  a  present  for  you." 

"  No,  mamma,  I  didn't  sec  him." 

She  turned  down  the  sheet  and 
showed  him  a  tiny  baby  lying  by  her 
side,  trying  to  suck  its  own  little  rosy 
ringer. 

Bertie  was  so  astonished  he  could 
not  speak. 

"  It's  your  little  sister,  my  son,  and 
if  papa  consents,  you  may  call  her 


VIOLETS    AND   VIOLETTA.  129 

Violetta  in  memory  of  these  pretty 
flowers." 

"  Oh,  mamma  !  I'm  so  glad  !  I 
love  babies  so  dearly.  Isn't  she  a 
darling  ? " 

At  this  moment  Mrs.  Dodge  came 
into  the  room.  "  Well,  Bertie,"  she 
began,  "  your  mamma  has  a  pretty 
surprise  for  you.  What  do  you  think 
Winnie  will  say  ? " 

"  She'll  think  it's  a  doll,  mamma. 
Oh,  may  I  bring  her  in  ?  " 

He  ran  to  the  door,  and  met  papa 
with  Winnie  in  his  arms. 


130  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

Papa  looked  very  smiling  and  hap- 
py as  he  walked  to  the  side  of  the  bed. 

Baby  had  fallen  asleep  now,  and 
was  so  quiet  Bertie  could  hardly  be- 
lieve she  was  alive. 

Winnie's  eyes  grew  larger  and 
larger  as  she  gazed,  until  at  last  she 
gave  a  spring  almost  out  of  her  papa's 
arms  upon  the  bed. 

Mamma  screamed,  and  Mrs.  Dodge 
came  forward  quickly  ;  but  papa  had 
caught  her  again  and  held  her  firm. 

"  It's  your  little  sister,"  he  ex- 
plained ;  "  but  you  must  go  now  and 


VIOLETS    AND   VIOLETTA.          131 

stay  with  Nellie,  for  Nancy  wants  the 
new  baby  to  sleep." 

"  Let  me  take  it  a  minute.  Please, 
mamma,  I  wont  break  it.  I  wont, 
certain,"  pleaded  the  child. 

"  Some  day,"  said  mamma,  and  then 
she  turned  so  pale  that  Mrs.  Dodge 
hurried  them  all  out  of  the  chamber 
before  mamma  could  ask  whether  the 
little  spring  flower  should  be  named 
Violctta. 

With  his  treasures  safe  in  the 
house,  Mr.  Curtis,  with  his  gardener, 
went  to  work  with  renewed  zeal  to 


132  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

beautify  his  grounds.  His  heart  was 
full  of  gratitude  to  the  kind  Being 
who  had  given  him  so  many  blessings ; 
and  his  delight  was  to  be  of  benefit  to 
those  around  him.  No  one  really  in 
need  was  ever  turned  from  his  door ; 
while  many,  like  Susy  Hunt  and  Ed- 
gar Torrey,  received  the  benefit  of  his 
donations. 

"  The  Squire's  son  will  be  the  father 
over  again."  said  Mr.  Taylor  to  the 
clergyman,  "  there's  nothing  pleases 
him  so  much,  as  to  give  him  a  chance 
to  make  somebody  happy." 


VIOLETS    AND   VIOLETTA.  133 

"  Yes,"  was  the  reply,  "  and  1  never 
see  him  without  recalling  to  re- 
membrance the  words:  '  It  is  more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive."1 

The  fall  previous  all  the  rubbish 
about  the  place  had  been  cleared 
away,  the  pieces  of  board  and  shav- 
ings, except  what  had  been  given  to 
the  poor,  being  carried  to  the  shed 
adjoining  the  barn.  The  turf  around 
the  house  had  of  course  been  a 
good  deal  cut  up  by  the  teams,  and 
Mr  Curtis  resolved  to  have  new  sods 
immediately  laid  down,  not  only  on 


134  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

the  terraces,  but  as  far  as  the  turf 
was  broken. 

This  was  quite  a  curiosity  to  Ber- 
tie, who  followed  Albert  to  the  field 
where  the  men  were  cutting  out  pieces 
of  turf  about  one  foot  in  width  and 
two  feet  in  length ;  then  back  again 
to  see  that  they  were  laid  smoothly 
upon  the  well  prepared  ground,  and 
nicely  hammered  down  with  large 
flat,  wooden  mallets. 

With  his  exercise  in  the  open  air, 
Albert  had  lost  something  of  bis  flesh; 
but  his  spirits  were  never  better ;  and 


VIOLETS    AND    VIOLETTA.  135 

in  his  management  of  men,  Mr.  Cur- 
tis thought  he  had  never  known  his 
equal  His  gay  good  humor  seemed 
to  inspire  all  in  his  employ  with  new 
life,  while  his  firm,  clear  manner  of 
giving  orders  convinced  them  that  he 
intended  to  be  obeyed. 

It  was  often  a  severe  trial  to  Bertie 
to  leave  for  school  just  as  the  men 
were  engaged  in  some  job  which  he 
particularly  wished  to  see  ;  -but  mam- 
ma explained  that  if  he  wished  to  be 
a  useful  man  he  must  lay  in  a  stock  of 
knowledge  while  he  was  young. 


136  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

One  morning  Mr.  Curtis  proposed 
to  go  to  a  nursery  of  trees  near  the 
city  for  the  purchase  of  currant, 
gooseberry,  blackberry  and  other 
bushes,  together  with  a  variety  of  or- 
namental shrubs. 

Bertie's  curiosity  was  greatly  ex- 
cited to  visit  such  a  place,  which  he 
fancied  must  be  almost  like  Eden. 

His  mamma  shook  her  head,  saying : 

"  You  have  had  a  long  vacation, 
my  dear.  School  is  the  first  duty  now." 

The  little  fellow's  lip  quivered  ;  and 
for  a  moment  he  looked  quite  vexed ; 


VIOLETS  AND  VIOLETTA.    137 

but  while  his  parents  with  anxious 
hearts  waited  to  see  whether  he  would 
submit  cheerfully  to  parental  au- 
thority, his  brow  cleared,  and  he 
exclaimed : 

"  You  always  do  know  best,  mam- 
ma.    I  should  admire  to  go  ;    but  I 

5 

dare  say  papa  will  take  me  some  time.' 
Papa    smiled,    but    said    nothing. 

Mamma  drew  her  son  to  her  side,  and 

kissed  her  approval  of  his  conduct. 
In   five   minutes    he   was    trotting 

Whitefoot  out  of  the  yard,  his  smiles 

% 

as  bright,  and  his  brow  sererfe  as  ever 


CHAPTER  Xin. 

BEKTIE'S  REWARD. 

T  noon,  Bertie  was  obliged  to 
hurry  through  his  lunch,  in 
order  to  be  back  in  time  for 
the  afternoon  session,  which 
commenced  at  one  o'clock,  so  that  it 
often  happened  that  he  did  not  see 
his  father  till  night. 

When  he  came  into  the  house,  he 

• 

was  eagc*  to  tell  his  mamma  that  at 


BERTIE'S  REWARD.  139 

last  he  had  attained  the  honor  of  be- 
ing at  the  head  of  the  arithmetic 
class.  He  supposed  of  course  his 
father  had  gone  to  the  city,  and  did 
not  therefore  enquire  for  him.  He 
only  said : 

*  Please,  mamma,  don't  tell  papa 
when  he  comes  home,  because  I  want 
to  tell  him  myself." 

"  No,  I  promise,"  answered  mam- 
ma, smiling. 

At  the  supper-table,  his  delight  was 
great,  therefore,  when  he  found  that 
instead  of  going  to  the  city,  Mr.  Cur- 


HO  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

tis  had  been  to  the  town  where  the 
quarry  of  granite  was. 

"  I  concluded,"  said  papa,  with  a 
curious  smile,  "  that  it  would  be  a 
pleasure  to  go  to  the  nursery  in  com- 
pany with  a  boy  who  put  aside  his 
own  wishes  in  order  to  please  his 
mother.  Dodge  must  get  his  ground 
ready,  and  wait  till  Saturday  for  his 
trees. 

"  Oh,  papa  !  papa  ! !  "  shouted  the 
boy,  dancing  with  delight.  "  I  mean 
to  be  always  good,  you  and  mamma 
are  so  very  kind." 


BERTIE'S  REWARD.  141 

This  was  Thursday ;  on  Saturday 
morning  at  an  early  hour  the  Squire 
and  his  son  were  on  their  way  to  the 
nursery. 

They  drove  Duke  in  the  carriage 
to  the  depot  station,  and  left  him  in  a 
stable  close  by,  so  that  he  would  be 
ready  as  soon  as  they  returned  from 
the  city.  Bertie  was  in  the  gayest 
of  spirits.  He  sat  by  the  window, 
watching  the  farmers  at  work  in  the 
fields,  ploughing,  harrowing,  or  mak- 
ing furrows  for  putting  the  seed  into 
their  land.  He  enjoyed  all  this 


142  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

vastly,  because  he  understood  how  it 
ought  to  be  done. 

He  was  so  absorbed  in  watching 
these  operations  as  they  whizzed  along 
past  one  farm  and  then  another,  that 
he  quite  forgot  the  pleasant  errand  on 
which  he  was  bound.  But  suddenly 
he  was  recalled  to  the  present  by  a 
plaintive  voice  asking,  —  "Have  a 
paper,  sir?  'This  morning's  paper, 
sir,  and  all  the  telegram  news." 

Mr  Curtis  was  absorbed  in  thought, 
and  took  no  notice  of  the  newsboy  ; 
but  there  was  something  in  the  sad 


BERTIE'S  REWARD.  143 

voice,  which    awoke   Bertie's    quick 
sympathies. 

"  Papa  !  papa  !"  he  repeated,  pull- 
ing his  father's  arm,  "  wont  you  please 
buy  a  paper  ?  See  how  many  the  boy 
has  left." 

"  I've  too  much  on  my  mind  to  care 

«• 

for  newspapers,  dear." 

Bertie  raised  himself  till  he  could 
speak  in  his  father's  ear. 

"  Please,  papa,  sec  how  sick  he 
looks.  Can't  you  buy  one  ]  " 

The  gentleman  opened  his  pocket* 
book,  and  gave  his  son  fifty  cents. 


144    BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

"  Use  it  as  you  please,"  he  said, 
softly. 

All  this  time  the  newsboy  had  been 
making  change  for  a  coarse,  rough- 
looking  man  who  sat  opposite,  who 
was  obliged  to  squirt  a  whole  mouth- 
ful of  tobacco  juice  out  of  his  mouth, 
before  he  could  say,  — 

"  Give  me  a  Erald,"  and  then 
another  mouthful  to  add,  —  "  Don't 
cheat,  now,  you  young  rascal." 

When  the  right  change  had  been 
given,  and  the  man  was  settled  to  his 
paper,  the  newsboy  turned  back  to 


BERTIE'S  REWARD.  145 

the  boy  whose  eyes  had  expressed  so 
much  sympathy. 

Bertie  asked  his  papa  if  it  would  be 

i 
too  much  trouble  to  change  seats,  and 

then  he  asked,  — 

"  Do  you  sell  many  papers  1 " 

"  Sometimes." 

"What  do  you  do  with  the  money  ? " 

"  I  give  it  to  mother.  It  doesn't 
half  support  us,  though,  and  now 
she's  going  to  die." 

As  the  newsboy  said  this,  a  great 
sob  seemed  to  choke  him.  Mr.  Cur- 

• 

tis,  whose  eyes  were  fixed  full  on  his 


146     BERTIE    AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

face,  saw  the  little  fellow  resolutely 
suppress  his  emotion,  and  his  sympa 
thies  were  enlisted  at  once. 

"  Where  does  your  mother  live  ?  " 
he  inquired. 

"  Close  by  the  depot  in  the  city." 

"  Go  and  sell  all  the  papers  you 
can,  and  then  come  back  here." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  with  a  grateful  glance 
at  Bertie. 

The  cars,  however,  had  run  into  the 
depot,  and  the  passengers  were  begin- 
ning to  alight,  before  they  saw  any- 
thing more  of  the  newsboy.  Bertie 


BERTIE'S  REWARD.  147 

was  begging  his  father  to  wait  a  little 
longer,  when  some  one  touched  his 
arm ;  and  there  was  the  boy  strug- 
gling up  from  behind. 

"  I've  sold  'em  all,"  he  began, 
eagerly. 

"  Show  me  where  your  mother 
lives,"  Mr.  Curtis  said,  when  they 
stepped  to  the  platform 

"  Yes,  sir." 

These  were  all  the  words  spoken, 
but  a  beautiful  ray  of  gratitude  shot 
from  the  poor  boy's  eyes. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


BERTIE    AND   THE    NEWSBOY. 


steps  brought  them  to 
an  old  block,  where  their 
young  guide  stopped. 

"  May  I  run  in  and  tell 
mother  you're  coming.  She's  so  very 
sick,  sir." 

"  Yes,  but  be  as  quick  as  you  can. 
I  must  catch  the  next  train  to  E " 


BERTIE    AND    THE    NEWSBOY.      149 

Before  they  had  time  to  miss  him, 
the  boy  returned,  his  face  very,  very 
sad. 

Bertie  instinctively  caught  his 
hand,  as  they  followed  him  to  the 
humble  chamber. 

A  woman  lay  there  in  the  last 
stages  of  consumption.  On  a  table 
near  her  was  a  cup,  a  tumbler,  and  a 
spoon,  all  empty. 

"  You  are  in  distress,"  said  Mr. 
Curtis,  in  a  soothing  tone ;  "  tell  me 
what  you  need." 

"  Nothing  for  myself.     I  shall  soon 


150  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

be  where  want  and  sorrow  shall  never 
enter ;  but  it  is  hard  to  leave  my  boy 
alone." 

"  Is  he  your  only  child  ? " 

"  The  only  one  left  of  five.  He 
will  soon  be  an  orphan." 

Mr.  Curtis  stood  a  moment  gazing 
about  as  if  trying  to  judge  from  the 
surroundings  something  of  the  char- 
acter of  the  inmates,  when  he  caught 
a  glimpse  of  Bertie. 

The  boy's  eyes  were  fixed  on  his 
face  with  such  an  eager,  wistful  gaze, 
as  if  he  wondered  his  father  did  not 


BERTIE    AND    THE    NEWSBOY.      151 

offer  relief,  that  he  resolved  at  once 
to  befriend  the  orphan. 

"  You  say,"  he  began,  "  that  you 
hope  soon  to  be  in  heaven.  Cannot 
you  cast  your  care  for  your  child  on 
your  heavenly  Father  ? " 

"  I  have  tried  to  ;  but  sometimes 
my  faith  is  weak.  He  has  been  taught 
his  duty  to  God.  I"  — 

A  fit  of  coughing  interrupted  her, 
after  which,  Mr.  Curtis  hastened  to 
say: 

"  I  will  be  a  friend  to  your  boy.  I 
must  leave  you  now ;  but  here  is  a 


152      BERTIE    AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

sum  of  money,  you  will  need  for  im- 
mediate wants.  I  will  try  and  call 
again  before  night.  In  the  meantime, 
what  is  your  name  ? " 

"  Martha  Washburn." 

They  hurried  away,  reached  the 
cars  just  in  time,  found  exactly  what 
they  wished,  smoke  trees,  tartarian 
honeysuckles,  azalias,  etc.,  etc.,  or- 
dered them  to  be  ready  for  Mr. 
Grant's  team  Monday  noon,  and  then 
went  back  to  the  city. 

Bertie  enjoyed  everything.  The 
long  rows  of  trees,  the  neat  lines  of 


BERTIE    AND    THE    NEWSBOY.      153 

6ushes  ;  but  his  heart  was  full  of 
Jimmy  Washburn.  His  little  hand 
nestled  itself  into  his  father's,  and 
every  chance  he  had  to  speak,  he  re- 
peated, — 

"  Oh,  papa !  I  do  love  you.  I  do 
thank  you  so  much.  How  glad  that 
poor  woman  looked  when  you  told  her 
you  would  take  care  of  her  boy." 

Mr.  Curtis  told  his  wife  afterward 
that  he  kept  thinking,  as  he  saw  Ber- 
tie's flushed,  eager  face,  of  the  text, 
"  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven," 
and  prayed  that  God  might  keep  his 


154  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

heart  like   that  of  his   pure-minded 
boy. 

Before  he  left  the  city,  he  made  ar- 
rangements for  Jamie's  admission  to 
a  mission  school,  where  he  would  be 
well  educated,  and  then  sent  to  a  home 
in  the  great  West.  Then  they  hur- 
ried to  Woodlawn  to  receive  a  warm 
welcome  from  mamma,  Winnie,  and. 
a  smile  from  little  Violetta. 


CHAPTER   XV. 


THE    LAST     CHAPTER. 


Y  young  reader,  I  hope  ere 
this  you  have  come  to  love 
our  little  Bertie,  and  are  sorry 
that  this  is  the  last  chapter 

of  the  last  volume    about   him    and 

his  sister  Winnie. 

•* 

I  love  Bertie  dearly,  and  should 
like  to  tell  you  much  more  about 
him;  but  in  the  short  space  that  is 

(156) 


156  BERTIE  AND  THE  GARDENERS. 

left  I  can  only  relate   a   few  words 
of  his  after  life. 

Suppose  1  were  to  say  that  he  be- 
came a  liar,  a  thief  and  a  Sabbath- 
breaker,  would  you  believe  me  1  You 
could  not,  because  you  have  seen 
that  he  loved  God  and  feared  sin. 
You  know  how  he  grieved  when  he 
disobeyed  his  parents ;  and  how  ear- 
nestly he  confessed  his  fault  to  his 
heavenly  Father.  You  know  how  he 
tried  to  conquer  his  impatience,  and 
to  be  a  dutiful,  loving  child  You 
know  how  earnestly  he  endeavored  to 


THE    LAST    CHAPTER.  157 

win  every  one  around  him  to  be  good; 
and  how  anxious  he  was  to  make 
others  happy.  Have  I  convinced  you 
that  in  order  to  be  happy  yourself, 
you  must  make  others  so  ?  If  I  have, 
I  shall  be  well  paid  for  writing  the 
history  of  Bertie  and  his  friends. 

Perhaps  you  will  remember  that  he 
was  not  over  fond  of  study  when  he 
first  began  to  attend  school ;  but  when 
his  mamma  explained  to  him  that  in 
order  to  become  a  useful  member  of 
society,  as  his  father  was,  he  must 
learn  to  read,  write  and  spell,  which 


158    BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

were  the  first-steps  toward  acquiring 
a  good  education,  he  made  it  a  duty 
to  learn,  every  lesson  thoroughly,  so 
that  by  the  time  he  was  sixteen  years 

old  he  was  prepared  to  enter  college. 

, 

In  the  meanwhile  Winnie  had 
come  into  her  teens,  and  little  Vio- 
letta  was  no  longer  the  baby ;  for 
there  were  a  pair  of  beautiful  twin 
brothers  at  Woodlawn,  "  as  near 
alike,"  Mrs.  Dodge  declared,  "  as  two 
peas  in  a  pod." 

In  the  quiet,  country  town  of  Ox- 
ford Mrs.  Curtis  had  gained  health 


THE    LAST    CHAPTER.  159 

and  strength.  Of  course,  with  so  many 
little  ones,  her  family  cares  had  great- 
ly increased,  but  with  faithful  Nancy 
in  the  nursery,  she  found  time  for 
visiting  the  poor  and  distressed,  all  of 
whom  felt  well  assured  that  no  one 
in  need  of  help  would  be  refused  aid 
from  the  kind  family  at  Woodlawn. 

On  a  cold,  windy  December  night, 
the  inhabitants  of  Oxford  were  start- 
led by  cries  of  "  Fire  !  fire  !  "  What 
was  their  horror  to  see  the  flames 
coming  from  the  large  barn  over  the 
lake.  With  one  accord  men,  women 


ItiO    BERTIE    AND   THE    GARDENERS. 

and  children  rushed  from  all  parts  of 
the  town  to  offer  aid  in  extinguishing 
the  fire.  It  was,  indeed,  not  the  barn, 
but  only  an  immense  stack  of  hay 
behind  it.  Mr.  Curtis,  with  the  aid 
of  his  men,  soon  succeeded  in  extin- 
guishing the  flames ;  but  the  neigh- 
bors, once  aroused,  could  not  be 
persuaded  that  all  the  dear  family 
were  safe,  until  they  had  caught  a 
glimpse  of  every  member. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curtis  were  deeply 
affected  at  the  kind  solicitude  mani- 
fested for  their  safety ;  and  when 


THE    LAST    CHAPTER.  161 

they  tried,  with  tearful  eyes,  to  ex- 
press it,  Mr.  Taylor  answered  for  the 
rest: 

"  Don't  talk  of  thanking  us  for 
wanting  to  preserve  one  of  God's 
greatest  blessings  to  us.  Oxford 
would  be  a  sorry  place  enough  with- 
out our  dear  ones  at  Woodlawn. 
No,  my  friends,  we  all  feel  that  you 
belong  to  us,  from  the  Squire  down 
to  the  tiny  babes  in  the  cradle. 
We're  thankful  you  didn't  need  our 
aid  to-night  to  put  out  the  fire ;  yet 
if  you  ever  do,  there  isn't  a  man, 


11 


BERTIE    AND    THE    GARDENERS. 

woman  or  child  in  Oxford,  but  would 
be  proud  to  render  it,  for  there  isn't 
one  who  hasn't  received  some  good 
at  your  hands." 

When  the  hearty  speech  was  ended, 
Bertie  went  around  among  the  people, 
shaking  hands  and  thanking  them 
earnestly  for  their  kindness  ;  and 
then  they  quietly  returned  to  their 
homes. 


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